Going Up in a Downturn
Luke 16:1-8
He also said to His disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.'
3 "Then the steward said within himself, 'What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.'
5 "So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6 And he said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7 Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' So he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.
9 "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you [it] fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.
2 Kings 4:1-7
A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves."
2 So Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil."
3 Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors — empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones."
5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. 6 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel."
And he said to her, "There is not another vessel." So the oil ceased. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest."
Gen 1:1-2
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form (chaos), and void (empty); and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering (protecting) over the face (direction, purpose) of the waters (water, seaman).
Normal has changed
We can’t get stuck in what worked yesterday
Most of what we did yesterday will be irrelevant tomorrow
1. Be prepared to change as fast as the world around us
2. Don’t lose heart in times of change & uncertainty
John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation (trouble, press, squeeze, distress, frustration); but be of good cheer (confident), I have overcome the world."
Ø People who believe the gospel should be different
Ø Faith over Fear – Consumer Confidence: measures people’s fears
Ripple effect – stock market down
3. Control what you can – some things are out of our control
Control your thinking and your attitude
Heb 10:35
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
Move past disappointment, blame, frustration
Ask the right questions – “What shall I do?”
4. Manage what you have – Luke 16:10-12
God doesn’t give us what we pray for. He gives us what we can manage
5. Chaos cause us to be creative – Gen 1:2
Without chaos, most of us would never try something different – change or grow
6. Take a second look at what’s in your house and what’s in your hand – 2 Kings 4:2
Develop a strategic option
7. Other people may be your salvation – 2 Kings 4:2
Let go of pride
Collaborate
8. Work God’s system – Luke 16:8-9